How many times a week should you REALLY wash your hair?

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My great-grandmother never washed her own hair. Even after showers and shampoo became common in homes, she’d still visit the salon twice a week to have her hair washed and set in rollers. These days, not only would this seem extravagant, but it would be seen as unclean, too. As a nation, we have become obsessed with washing our hair regularly. And yet, I don’t know anyone who genuinely enjoys the 30-minute early-morning battle with a hairdryer.

Last month, Kérastase launched its Specifique Scalp Purification System, an £85 in-salon treatment that includes a clay mask and a specially designed Clarisonic brush to cleanse and polish scalps and hair. Admittedly, the Clarisonic works like no head massage you have ever experienced to provide unparalleled levels of relaxation, but have we become too fixated on squeaky-clean hair?

When I spoke to Dr Joe Cincotta, who formulates Color Wow products, he offered a damning take on the industry. ‘Marketing-driven product development has pushed shampoo formulas away from their actual purpose: to leave hair clean and fresh,’ he said. ‘Formulas containing conditioning ingredients and waxes, such as glycol distearate, as well as high concentrations of natural oils and extracts aren’t helpful when it comes to cleansing your hair.’

In fact, these ingredients can leave residues that prevent healthy hair growth. When you step back and think about it, why would you want your shampoo to boost your shine or nourish your locks? For the past month, I’ve put Cincotta’s theory to the test and alternated between Color Wow shampoo and a clarifying formula twice a week, and I can report that I gained a total of eight hours of free time. I think my great-grandmother would be proud.